An apprentice at Oxford Bus Company has called for more females to follow her path to mark International Women in Engineering Day.
Mercedes Goodhall (pictured), who joined Oxford Bus Company’s three-year apprenticeship scheme at Cowley House depot after finishing her studies at City of Oxford College, made the call after she took part in a webinar hosted by Women in Bus and Coach exploring why the coach and bus industry is a good destination for aspiring women engineers.
“It’s been such a welcoming, friendly and encouraging environment,” she says. “I don’t feel as though there are barriers to what I can achieve here as a female engineer. I’m glad to be on my current apprenticeship and career-wise, I hope to stay on at Oxford Bus Company in a full-time role.
“I would highly recommend Oxford Bus Company and the bus industry to other young women who are interested in engineering, it’s a great working environment where you are judged on your merits.”
Oxford Bus Company owner Go-Ahead Group and its subsidiaries have long championed the call for more women to join the industry, and offer various opportunities to kick-start a career.
Luke Marion, Managing Director at Oxford Bus Company, says: “International Women in Engineering Day is important in helping raise awareness of the fantastic opportunities available in the profession in the coach and bus sector. Mercedes’s story is an excellent example of the way in which we help people develop and build rewarding careers and highlights the progressive approach we take to create an inclusive and diverse workplace and culture.
“Engineering is highly skilled and offers varied career opportunities, already Mercedes has been training across both our hybrid vehicles and new electric fleet and it’s great to see her continue to flourish.”
